Opening Doors

Opening Doors

Opening doorsVIDEO

is an annual celebration in Des Moines, Iowa. We acknowledge the difficult journey from homelessness to hope with a banquet and awards ceremony featuring winners, in several categories, who are on their journey from having experienced homelessness to stability by way of hope. We want to celebrate the people involved, in every aspect of that journey. We are raising money with the sale of doors, donations, and sponsors to contribute to the Dean Wright fund, which will be used to provide housing assistance for people that do not qualify for the existing forms of housing assistance.

R. Dean Wright Fund

The R. Dean Wright fund receives all proceeds from the celebration and any donations. The fund will help house individuals who don't qualify for other sources.

R. Dean Wright Fund

The R. Dean Wright fund receives all proceeds from the celebration and any donations. The fund will help house individuals who don't qualify for other sources.

It was the philosophy of R. Dean Wright that people don't run out of chances. In his years teaching at Drake University and serving many appointments and volunteer positions across the community, he always kept the needs of the most vulnerable in mind and taught that no matter what society may think of a person, that person still deserves the dignity of a home.

the Professor R. Dean Wright Fund was established to support needs not covered by other programs, and it has grown through the sale of doors created by local artists, by donations, and by luncheon sponsors. With these funds Opening Doors has been able to provide a small ($200) award to each recipient. Each agency that mentored and nominated the awardees will be given $500 to support their efforts in areas for which funds are difficult to obtain – for instance providing bus tokens to get to work or school. Opening Doors last year, responding to a need articulated by caseworkers, was able to provide 13 mattresses, box springs, bedframes and bedding to be distributed to individuals as they moved into stable housing. During 2017 we hope to provide another 20 bed sets.

Doors

Every year doors are added. Some doors are painted by staff who work with people experiencing homelessness. Some are painted by children experiencing homelessness. Some are painted by passionate individuals who see the value of celebrating stability in the lives of people who have struggled to find it.

Every year some of the doors are auctioned at the celebration. Funds go to the R. Dean Wright fund.

If your organization would like to display a door, along with a placard describing the event and the fund, contact us.

Doors

Every year doors are added. Some doors are painted by staff who work with people experiencing homelessness. Some are painted by children experiencing homelessness. Some are painted by passionate individuals who see the value of celebrating stability in the lives of people who have struggled to find it.

Every year some of the doors are auctioned at the celebration. Funds go to the R. Dean Wright fund.

If your organization would like to display a door, along with a placard describing the event and the fund, contact us.